Image pickup apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an image pickup apparatus having a liquid crystal light controlling device in front of an image pickup device. A liquid crystal light controlling device has a rear face facing an image pickup device and has input terminals disposed at the circumferential positions of the rear face. An image pickup device has a package and a sensor portion held in the package for picking up an image of a subject. At positions of the package facing the liquid crystal light controlling device, there are disposed output terminals for supplying driving voltage to each of the input terminals of the liquid crystal light controlling device. The driving voltage is supplied from the output terminals on the package to the input terminals through a conducting portion of a holding member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Such an image pickup apparatus as a digital camera and video camera has an image pickup device for picking up image of subject and a light control means for controlling the quantity of light led to the image pickup device. There is proposed an image pickup apparatus using, as the light control means, such a light controlling device as a liquid crystal light controlling device whose light transmittance is varied by supply of a driving voltage to its input terminal. (Refer, for example, to Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei 10-73864.)

In the cited image pickup apparatus, an image pickup device is mounted on a substrate and a light controlling device is mounted on the substrate via a holder so as to be positioned forwardly of the image pickup device. Further, by providing conductive rubber between the input terminal of the liquid crystal and the substrate at a side of the image pickup device, the driving voltage is adapted to be supplied to the input terminal from the substrate.

In such a conventional image pickup apparatus, some space around the image pickup device is occupied by the conductive rubber disposed at the side of the image pickup device and in addition some space around the image pickup device is occupied by the holder for holding the conductive rubber. Because of this, it has been difficult to make the apparatus compact. Further, there has been a problem of complexity in providing a mechanism for fixing the light controlling device and the conductive rubber to the holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the abovementioned problems with conventional image pickup apparatus. Accordingly, it is an object to provide an image pickup apparatus, in a configuration having a light controlling device disposed forwardly of an image pickup device, having advantages in terms of compactness and simplicity.

In order to attain the object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device having a sensor portion for picking up an image of a subject and a package for holding the sensor portion and a light controlling device disposed in front of the image pickup device, transmittance thereof of light led to the image pickup device being adjusted by a driving voltage applied thereto, in which the light controlling device is provided with an input terminal to receive the driving voltage and an output terminal for supplying the driving voltage to the input terminal is disposed at a position facing the light controlling device of the package of the image pickup device.

According to the present invention, the output terminal for supplying the input terminal with the driving voltage is provided at a position facing the light controlling device of the package of the image pickup device, and hence, the need can be eliminated for disposing a component for connecting the input terminal with the output terminal at the circumference of the package of the image pickup device. Because of this, the space occupied by such a component can be saved and this provides an advantageous effect in achieving a smaller sized apparatus. Since, further, the mechanism for connecting the input terminal with the output terminal can be simplified, an advantage in reducing the cost can be obtained.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front of an image pickup apparatus of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the rear of the image pickup apparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic construction drawing of a lens barrel 10;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image pickup apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view in perspective of lens barrel 10;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of lens barrel 10;

FIG. 7 is an assembly drawing of a rear unit including liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and image pickup device 18;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view in perspective of the rear unit;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a presser member;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a holding member;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of image pickup device 18;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory drawing of operation of liquid crystal light controlling device 16;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory drawing of transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing characteristics of transmitted light quantity in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory drawing of relationship between transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and image pickup plane;

FIG. 17 is an exploded view in perspective of a rear unit of a second embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an assembly drawing of the rear unit of the second embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view in perspective of a rear unit of a third embodiment;

FIG. 20 is an assembly drawing of the rear unit of the third embodiment;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view in perspective of a rear unit of a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an assembly drawing of the rear unit of the fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of conducting member 40 of the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The object to provide a compact and simplified configuration has been attained by disposing the output terminal for supplying the driving voltage to the input terminal of the light controlling device at a position facing the light controlling device of the package of the image pickup device.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present embodiment, a case where a lens barrel of the present invention is incorporated in an image pickup apparatus will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image pickup apparatus of the first embodiment seen from its front side, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image pickup apparatus of the first embodiment seen from its rear side, FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the lens barrel, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the image pickup apparatus, FIG. 5 is an exploded view in perspective of lens barrel 10, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of lens barrel 10, FIG. 7 is an assembly drawing of a rear unit including liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and image pickup device 18, FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is an exploded view in perspective of the rear unit, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a presser member, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a holding member, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of image pickup device 18, FIG. 13 is an explanatory drawing of operation of liquid crystal light controlling device 16, FIG. 14 is an explanatory drawing of transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing characteristics of transmitted light quantity of FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory drawing of relationship between the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and an image pickup face.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, image pickup apparatus 100 is a digital still camera having case 102 in a rectangular plate form serving as its outer case. In this specification, “left/right” mean “on the left/right as you faces the front part of image pickup apparatus 100”, and, further, with respect to the direction along the optical axis of the optical system, the side toward the subject is referred to as the “front or forward” side and the side toward the image pickup device as the “back or rearward” side.

Case 102 has lens barrel 10 incorporated therein at its right-hand side.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, lens barrel 10 is constructed of front unit 20 including optical system 14 and lens barrel 1406 and rear unit 22 including liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and image pickup device 18.

An image of subject picked up by optical system 14 is adapted to be transmitted by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and led to image pickup device 18.

Optical system 14 is constructed of front lens group 1402 and rear lens group 1404 and these lenses 1402, 1404 are held by lens barrel 1406.

Front lens group 1402 are arranged to look forwardly of case 102 through lens window 104 disposed on the front side of case 102.

Above lens window 104, there is provided flash 106 flashing auxiliary light for taking image.

On the top face to the left of case 102, there are provided shutter button 108 and the like.

On the rear side of case 102, there are provided display 110 (liquid crystal display) for displaying thereon images of still and moving picture, characters, symbols, and so on, cross-knobbed switch 112 for making various operations, a plurality of operating buttons 114, and others.

In the present embodiment, display 110 has a display screen 111 in a rectangular shape of which the long side is in agreement with the left-to-right direction and the short side is in agreement with the top-to-bottom direction and, hence, in the normal use as shown in FIG. 2, the direction of the short side of display screen 111 comes into agreement with the top-to-bottom direction of image pickup apparatus 100 and the long side of the same comes into agreement with the left-to-right direction of image pickup apparatus 100.

On the left side face of case 12, there is provided memory receiver 118 for removably receiving memory card 116 (storage medium) for recording images of still picture or moving picture or the like.

The image picked up by image pickup device 18 is output to image processor 120 as an image pickup signal and, in image processor 120, data of still picture or moving picture is generated based on the image pickup signal and recorded on memory card 116. Also, the image data is displayed on display 110 by display processor 122.

Further, image pickup apparatus 100 is provided with controller 124 including CPU and the like for controlling image processor 120 and display processor 122 in accordance with operated shutter button 108, cross-knobbed switch 112, and operating button 114.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, front unit 20 includes holder 24, movable ring 26, barrel body 28, and spring washer 30. In the present embodiment, barrel 1406 is formed of holder 24 and barrel body 28.

Holder 24 has holder body 2402 in a cylindrical wall form for holding front lens group 1402 and three projections 2404 provided on the outer peripheral face of holder body 2402 at intervals of 120°.

Movable ring 26 is formed in a shape of a cylindrical wall a degree larger than holder 24, and in its peripheral wall portion 2602, there are provided three cum grooves 2604 extended in the circumferential direction.

Barrel body 28 has cylindrical wall portion 2802 for holding rear lens group 1404 and mounting portion 2806 in a rectangular plate shape to be connected to the rear end of cylindrical wall portion 2802 and mounted on rear unit 22. In cylindrical wall portion 2802, there are cut three longitudinal grooves 2804 extended in the axial direction of cylindrical wall portion 2802 at intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction.

Front unit 20 is assembled in the following manner.

Holder 24 is put into cylindrical wall portion 2802 and movable ring 26 is rotatably attached onto the outer periphery of cylindrical wall portion 2802. Three projections 2404 on holder 24 are inserted into three longitudinal grooves 2804 provided in cylindrical wall portion 2802 and inserted also into three cum grooves 2604 formed in movable ring 26 being extended in the circumferential direction.

In the outer peripheral face of cylindrical wall portion 2802 of barrel body 28, there are cut three grooves (not shown) along the circumferential direction of cylindrical wall portion 2802, while on the inner peripheral face of movable ring 26, there are formed three protruded portions (not shown) to be engaged with the abovementioned grooves. By having the grooves engaged with the protruded portions, movable ring 26 is allowed to be mounted on barrel body 28 for rotation without coming off.

Further, spring washer 30 is fitted over the outer periphery of cylindrical wall portion 2802 so as to be interposed between the front face of mounting portion 2806 and the rear end portion of movable ring 26. This spring urges the protruded portions on movable ring 26 into the grooves indented in barrel body 28 and, therefore, a suitable feeling of resistance can be provided when movable ring 26 is rotated relative to barrel body 28.

When movable ring 26 is rotated, three projections 2404 on holder 24 are guided along the three cum grooves 2604 and longitudinal grooves 2804, and thereby, holder 24 is adapted to be shifted in the direction of the optical axis of optical system 14 (front lens group 1402 and rear lens group 1404). By the shift of holder 24, the distance between front lens group 1402 and rear lens group 1404 is changed, and thus the focal length of optical system 14 can be switched between the focal length for ordinary shooting and the focal length for macro shooting.

Rear unit 22 includes holding member 32, presser member 34, and substrate 36, in addition to liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and image pickup device 18.

Liquid crystal light controlling device 16, in its entirety, has a rectangular plate form and includes, as shown in FIG. 3, two transparent substrates 1606 spaced apart along the optical axis and extended parallel to each other, two transparent electrodes 1608 formed on the surfaces of transparent substrates 1606 opposing each other, orientation films 1610 formed on the surfaces opposing each other of transparent electrodes 1608, liquid crystal layer 1604 sealed in between two orientation films 1610, and rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules 1602 contained in liquid crystal layer 1604. Transparent substrate 1606 is made, for example, of transparent glass.

Liquid crystal layer 1604 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is formed of guest-host type cells including host material and guest material. The host material is formed of liquid crystal molecules 1602 and the guest material is formed of two-color dye molecules.

Although the present embodiment has liquid crystal light controlling device 16 of a laminated two-layer structure, only one layer portion of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is shown in FIG. 3 to avoid complexity of drawing.

Liquid crystal light controlling device 16 has, as shown in FIG. 3, front face 1614 facing the subject and rear face 1616 facing image pickup device 18. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, front face 1614 is constituted of the front face of transparent substrate 1606 disposed on the side toward optical system 14 of two transparent substrates 1606, while rear face 1616 is constituted of the rear face of transparent substrate 1606 disposed on the side away from optical system 14 of two transparent substrates 1606. Although liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is transparent and members behind it can be seen through it, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is shown as not transparent in FIG. 9 to avoid complication of drawing.

At circumferential positions of rear face 1616, or, more specifically, at positions toward each short side of rear face 1616, there are provided two each of input terminals 1612 spaced apart in the direction of the short side, i.e., there are provided totally four input terminals 1612. Two input terminals 1612 of these four input terminals 1612 are connected to one transparent electrode 1608 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and remaining two input terminals 1612 are connected to the other transparent electrode 1608 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

Input terminals 1612 are supplied with drive voltage in the manner as described below and the voltages is applied to each transparent electrode 1608 through each input terminal 1612 and, by this voltage application, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 operates as described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is designed in the present embodiment to miniaturize optical system 14 by reducing the length in the direction of the optical axis of front lens group 1402 and rear lens group 1404 and by reducing the outer diameter and length of barrel 1406. Therefore, for the sake of the optical design, the light beams led to image pickup device 18 from optical system 14 are gradually slanted to be separated from the optical axis according as the beams come closer to image pickup device 18.

FIG. 13 explains the relationship between the slant of the direction of the major axis of liquid crystal molecules 1602 within liquid crystal layer 1604 and light beam L transmitted by liquid crystal device 16.

As described below, the relationship between the slant of liquid crystal molecules 1602 and light beam L transmitted by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is analogous to the relationship between laths of a Venetian blind and light beams passing between the laths.

FIG. 13 (A1) is a view of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 seen from its front, FIG. 13(A2) is a view of FIG. 13 (A1) seen from direction Y being the direction of orientation of liquid crystal molecules 1602, and FIG. 13(A3) is a view of FIG. 13(A1) seen from direction X intersecting the direction of orientation, and there are shown states where the driving voltage is not applied to liquid crystal light controlling device 16. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, it is arranged such that the direction of orientation of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is substantially parallel to the short side of image pickup plane 1805 of image pickup device 18.

Accordingly, the slant of the major axis of each liquid crystal molecule 1602 to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 is 0°. Therefore, when light L whose direction of travel is parallel to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 is incident, the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 assumes the maximum value corresponding to the angle of slant, 0°, of light L with respect to the direction of major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602.

FIGS. 13(B1), (B2), and (B3) are diagrams similar to FIGS. 13(A1), (A2), and (A3) but, in FIGS. 13(B1), (B2), and (B3) are shown states where an intermediate driving voltage is applied to liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

Accordingly, the angle of slant of the major axis of each liquid crystal molecule 1602 assumes, for example, an angle of 45° with respect to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604. Hence, when light L whose direction of travel is parallel to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 is incident, the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 assumes an intermediate value corresponding to the angle of slant, 45°, of light L with respect to the direction of major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602.

FIGS. 13(C1), (C2), and (C3) are diagrams similar to FIGS. 13(A1), (A2), and (A3), but in FIGS. 13(C1), (C2), and (C3) are shown states where a maximum driving voltage is applied to liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

Accordingly, the angle of slant of the major axis of each liquid crystal molecule 1602 assumes an angle of 90° with respect to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604. Hence, when light L whose direction of travel is parallel to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 is incident, the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 assumes a minimum value corresponding to the angle of slant 90° of light L with respect to the direction of major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602.

Now, cases where the direction of travel of light L is slanted with respect to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604, while angles of slant of the direction of major axis of each liquid crystal molecule 1602 are set at 0°, 45°, and 90° with respect to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604, will be described.

For convenience of explanation, one of the directions referring to the orientation in direction Y may hereinafter be defined as “upward” and the other as “downward” as shown in FIG. 13.

Cases where the direction of travel of light L is at an upwardly slanted angle α with respect to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 are shown in FIGS. 13(A4), (A5); 13(B4), (B5); and FIGS. 13(C4), (C5). Concerning the angle of slant of the major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602, FIGS. 13(A4), (A5) are identical to FIGS. 13(A1), (A3); FIGS. 13(B4), (B5) are identical to FIGS. 13(B1), (B3); and FIGS. 13(C4), (C5) are identical to FIGS. 13(Cl), (C3).

On the other hand, cases where the direction of travel of light L is at an downwardly slanted angle a with respect to the direction of thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 are shown in FIGS. 13(A6), (A7); 13(B6), (B7); and FIGS. 13(C6), (C7). Concerning the angle of slant of the major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602, FIGS. 13(A6), (A7) are identical to FIGS. 13(A1), (A3); FIGS. 13(B6), (B7) are identical to FIGS. 13(B1), (B3); and FIGS. 13(C6), (C7) are identical to FIGS. 13(C1), (C3).

From these drawings, it is known that, when the direction of travel of light L with respect to the direction of the thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 changes, the direction of travel of light L with respect to the direction of the major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602 also changes, even if the angles of slant of the direction of the major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602 with respect to the direction of the thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 are the same.

As mentioned above, light L emitted from optical system 14 gradually deviates from the optical axis according as light L comes closer to image pickup device 18. Therefore, the angle of slant of the travel of light L with respect to the direction of the thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 varies in accordance with the position on liquid crystal light controlling device 16. Accordingly, the quantity of transmitted light L by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 also varies in accordance with the position.

This will further be discussed below.

FIGS. 14A to 14E show the angle of slant of liquid crystal molecule 1602 with respect to the direction of the thickness of liquid crystal layer 1604 gradually increasing in the range between 0° to 90°.

In FIG. 15, positions on liquid crystal light controlling device 16 in the direction of orientation (direction Y) are taken along the horizontal axis and quantities of transmitted light L by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 are taken along the vertical axis, in which numerals A-E correspond to FIGS. 14A to 14E.

FIGS. 15A to 15E show that the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 varies in accordance with positions on liquid crystal light controlling device 16 in the direction of orientation (direction Y). In particular, it is known from FIGS. 15B to 15E, excepting the case where the slant of the major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602 is 0°, that the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 increases or decreases monotonously (in a step-less manner or continuously) in accordance with the positions in the direction of orientation (direction Y) on liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

Now, let it be considered that an image of a subject having uniform brightness is picked up and light beams with uniform brightness from optical system 14 are rendered incident on liquid crystal light controlling device 16 in the state where the angle of slant of the direction of the major axis of liquid crystal molecule 1602 in liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is varied as shown in FIGS. 14B to 14E.

FIG. 16 shows relative positions between image pickup plane 1805 and liquid crystal light controlling device 16, in which FIG. 16A shows a state where the direction of orientation of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is parallel to the direction of the short side of image pickup plane 1805, while FIG. 16B shows a case where the direction of orientation of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is parallel to the direction of the long side of image pickup plane 1805.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the density of the hatching indicates the level of the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16. More particularly, the thinner the hatching, the larger is the transmitted light quantity, and the denser the hatching, the smaller is the transmitted light quantity. Incidentally, while there are no border lines present between actual transmitted light quantities, border lines are drawn in FIG. 16, for convenience of explanation, between the hatchings indicating different densities.

In either case of FIG. 16A or of FIG. 16B, the transmitted light quantity is varying in the direction of the short side or the long side. Such variation of transmitted light quantity affects the brightness of the picked up image and makes the brightness of the image unnatural.

Now, if FIG. 16A is compared with FIG. 16B, variation of the transmitted light quantity in FIG. 16A, in which the transmitted light quantity is varying along the short side, is smaller than the variation of the transmitted light quantity in FIG. 16B, in which the transmitted light quantity is varying along the long side.

In the present embodiment, the orientation of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is arranged to be substantially parallel to the short side of image pickup plane 1805. Therefore, even if light L emitted from optical system 14 tends to gradually separate from the optical axis according as the light beams come closer to image pickup device 18 on account of design to realize miniaturization of optical system 14, variation of the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 in the present embodiment becomes smaller than when the orientation of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is arranged substantially parallel to the long side of image pickup plane 1805. Thus, the effect of variation of the transmitted light quantity on the brightness of an image can be decreased and hence such an advantage can be obtained, when the picked up image is displayed on display 110 as shown in FIG. 2, that unnatural difference between light and darkness of the displayed image becomes inconspicuous to the sense of sight.

More specifically, since the direction of the short side of image pickup plane 1805 in a rectangular shape of image pickup device 18 and the direction of the short side of display screen 111 of display 110 are corresponding to each other, the difference between light and darkness in the image displayed on display screen 111 of display 110 picked up by image pickup device 18 will be produced in the direction of the short side of display screen 111. Accordingly, the difference between light and darkness in the image can be made smaller in the case where the difference between light and darkness in the image displayed on display screen 111 is produced in the direction of the short side of display screen 111 than where the difference between light and darkness in the image displayed on display screen 111 is produced in the direction of the long side of display screen 111.

Further, the effect of reduction in the difference between light and darkness of the image becomes the greater the larger is the ratio between the long side and the short side of the image pickup plane 1805.

By virtue of the effect making the unnatural difference between light and darkness in a picked up image inconspicuous to the sense of sight, optical system 14 can advantageously be made still smaller in size, and further, an image pickup apparatus having barrel 10 and various mobile equipment units incorporating lens barrel 10 can be made smaller in size to great advantage.

Also when a picked up image is output as a print on a rectangular region, the effect to make the unnatural difference between light and darkness inconspicuous provides an advantage, as when the image is displayed on display 110.

Concerning characteristics of human visual sensation, it is known by experience that unnaturalness to the sense of sight in the case where brightness of an image gradually changes to darkness from top to bottom of the image is smaller than where reversely darkness of the image gradually changes to brightness from top to bottom of the image.

Accordingly, when the direction from top to bottom (vertical direction) of the image pickedup by image pickup device 18 of an image pickup apparatus is substantially parallel to the short side of image pickup plane 1805 of image pickup device 18, if the direction of orientation of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is arranged such that the transmitted light quantity by liquid crystal light controlling device 16 may be lowered monotonously (in a step-less manner or continuously) from the top to the bottom of the vertical direction of the picked up image, it will follow that the brightness of the image is gradually lowered from the top to the bottom of the vertical direction of the picked up image by image pickup device 18. This offers a great advantage in making the unnatural difference between light and darkness of the image picked up by image pickup device 18.

As shown in FIG. 9, holding member 32 includes four side walls 3202 arranged to surround four end faces of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and two rear walls 3204, connected to the rear end of side walls 3202 and arranged to face four input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16, and further, opening 3206 in a rectangular shape is formed between two rear walls 3204.

On the inner side of four side walls 3202, there are provided a plurality of ribs 3208. Positioning and securing in position of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 within holding member 32 is attained by bringing these ribs 3210 into abutment on the four side faces of liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

As shown in FIG. 11 of holding member 32 in its state with a portion broken away, there are provided four conducting portions 3210 at positions of rear walls 3204 corresponding to each of input terminals 1612 in such a manner as to pass through the thickness of rear wall 3204. In other words, conducting portions 3210 are extended parallel to the direction of the optical axis of optical system 14.

Conducting portion 3210 is made of a conductive material conventionally used for connection of electrodes of liquid crystal devices. The conductive material, what is called “dot connector” or “Zebra rubber”, is formed by having conductive particles dispersed in such an insulating material as rubber. As the conductive material, anisotropic conductive material (ACM) may also be used for forming conducting portion 3210, in which case conducting portion 3210 is arranged to have conductivity in its elongated direction (direction of connection) and to have no conductivity in the direction perpendicular to the elongated direction.

Side walls 3202 and rear walls 3204 are formed on an insulating material having adhesiveness and elasticity such as silicone rubber.

It is also possible to form the whole of rear walls 3204 as a conductive member. In such case, the conducting member is formed of an anisotropic conductive material having conductivity in the direction of thickness of rear wall 3204 and having no conductivity in the direction perpendicular to the direction of thickness.

Presser member 34, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, includes plate portion 3402 formed into a rectangular plate shape a size larger than the contour of holding member 32 and opening 3404 provided in the center of plate portion 3402.

Rearwardly of two short sides of plate portion 3402 are projected two engagement pieces 3406. At positions on the rear face of plate portion 3402 closer to the two short sides, there are provided protruded portions 3408 bulgingly extended in the direction of the short side.

As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 9, and FIG. 12, image pickup device 18 includes package 1802 in a rectangular plate form, sensor portion 1804 received in a rectangular recess formed in the center of the front side of package 1802 for picking up an image of a subject, and cover glass 1806 attached to the front face of package 1802 for hermetically sealing sensor portion 1804 held in the rectangular recess. Package 1802 is made for example of a ceramic material.

Sensor portion 1804 is formed, for example, of a rectangular plate-shaped chip constituting a CCD image sensor, and, as shown in FIG. 8, its front face is arranged to provide image pickup plane 1805 in a rectangular shape. In the present embodiment, the long side and the short side of image pickup plane 1805 are disposed parallel to the long side and the short side of package 1802.

On the end faces of package 1802 on the sides of its two short sides, there are provided engagement portions 1810 to be engaged with and disengaged from engagement pieces 3406 of presser member 34.

Package 1802, as shown in FIG. 12, has frame portion 1814 in a rectangular frame shape surrounding sensor portion 1804 and frame portion 1814 has front face 1803 in a frame shape facing liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

At positions on package 1802 facing liquid crystal light controlling device 16, i.e., at positions on front face 1803 toward its two short sides, there are disposed four output terminals 1808, corresponding to four input terminals 1612, for supplying the driving voltages to the input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16. The positions on front face 1803 of package 1802 where output terminals 1808 are disposed are portions corresponding to input terminals 1612.

As shown in FIG. 12, on two end faces on the sides toward the long sides of package 1802, there are provided a plurality of terminals 1812 for inputting and outputting electric signals including image pickup signals to and from sensor portion 1804. At four corner portions of package 1802, there are provided four connection terminals 1813 for driving signals, each there of being electrically coupled with each of four output terminals 1808 within package 1802. Terminals 1812 and driving signal connection terminal 1813 are provided, for example, by plated layers with gold or the like formed on the surface of grooves cut in the surface of package 1802.

Substrate 36 is formed in a rectangular plate shape having a size a step larger than image pickup device 18. The front face of substrate 36 is attached to the rear face of image pickup device 18 with an adhesive or the like, while terminals 1812 and inputting connection terminals 1813 on image pickup device 18 are connected with terminals, not shown, provided on the front face of substrate 36 by soldering.

On the rear face of substrate 36, there are provided a circuit for processing the image pickup signal by inputting and outputting electric signals including the image pickup signal to and from sensor portion 1804 and a circuit for applying the driving voltage to liquid crystal light controlling device 16. To the rear face of substrate 36 is connected flexible substrate 37. Through this substrate 37, transmission and reception of various signals between an outside control circuit and the circuits on substrate 36 are performed. The circuits disposed on substrate 36 may otherwise be disposed on flexible substrate 37.

Rear unit 22 is assembled as follows.

Holding member 32 is mounted on the front face of image pickup device 18 attached onto substrate 36 with solder, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is put into the interior of four side walls 3202 of that mounted holding member 32, presser member 34 is placed over the same, and two engagement pieces 3406 are brought into engagement with engagement portions 1810 of image pickup device 18.

By having presser member 34 engaged with image pickup device 18, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and holding member 32 are held as sandwiched between plate portion 3402 of presser member 34 and front face 1803 of image pickup device 18. More specifically, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is attached to front face 1803 of image pickup device 18, with the perimeter of rear face 1616 thereof held by holding member 32.

At this time, a space facing opening 3206 is formed between rear face 1616 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and front face 1803 of package 1802 of image pickup device 18 because rear wall 3204 of holding member 32 is sandwiched therebetween. However, this space is covered by side walls 3202 and rear wall 3204 of holding member 32.

Thereby, the portion on the rear side of conducting portion 3208 of holding member 32 is pressed against output terminals 1808 of package 1802 and the portion on the front side of conducting portion 3208 of holding member 32 is pressed against input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

In other words, conducting portion 3208 is formed of a first portion at which holding member 32 contacts input terminals 1612, a second portion at which it contacts the later discussed output terminals 1808 of image pickup device 18, and a third portion of holding member 32 connecting the first portion with the second portion.

Then, protruded portions 3408 of presser member 34 are pressed on the portions of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 corresponding to input terminals 1612 as shown in FIG. 8, whereby contact under pressure of conducting portion 3208 with input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and contact under pressure of conducting portion 3208 with output terminals 1808 of package 1802 can be ensured.

Fixing of front unit 20 to rear unit 22 is attained by bonding them together with an adhesive while mounting portion 2806 of barrel body 28 is brought into abutment with the front face of plate portion 3402 of presser member 34.

Functioning and effects of the first embodiment will be described below.

When the driving voltage to be applied to liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is generated by the circuit on substrate 36, the driving voltage is supplied from terminals on substrate 36 to output terminals 1808 on package 1802 through four connection terminals 1813 for driving signals on package 1802. The driving voltage is then supplied from output terminals 1808 to input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 through conducting portion 3208 of holding member 32, whereby the driving voltage is applied to each of transparent electrodes 1608 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

In liquid crystal light controlling device 16, transmitted light quantity (transmittance of light) is adjusted in accordance with the applied driving voltage.

According to the first embodiment, output terminals 1808 for supplying the driving voltage to input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 are disposed at positions facing liquid crystal light controlling device 16 of package 1802 of image pickup device 18. Accordingly, the need for securing space around package 1802 of image pickup device 18, especially at sides of package 1802, for the sake of connection of input terminals 1612 with output terminals 1808, can be eliminated, and this provides an advantage in miniaturizing the apparatus.

Further, in the first embodiment, the driving voltage is adapted to be supplied from output terminals 1808 to input terminals 1612 through conducting portion 3208 provided on holding member 32 for holding liquid crystal light controlling device 16, and hence, the number of components for supplying the driving voltage can be reduced and this provides an advantage in attaining simplification of structure and reduction of cost.

Further, since liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is held by holding member 32, when image pickup apparatus 100 is given a shock, the shock to liquid crystal light controlling device 16 can be lessened and this provides an advantage in preventing liquid crystal light controlling device 16 from being damaged.

Further, since the space formed between rear face 1616 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and front face 1803 of package 1802 of image pickup device 18 is covered by side walls 3202 and rear wall 3204 of holding member 32, such an advantage can be obtained that light beams led into image pickup device 18 are prevented from being degraded by dust entering the space.

Second Embodiment

Below will be described a second embodiment.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it has eliminated holding member 32 and presser member 34 and attaches liquid crystal light controlling device 16 directly to image pickup device 18.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view in perspective of the rear unit in the second embodiment and FIG. 18 is an assembly drawing of the rear unit. Components corresponding to those in the first embodiment will hereinafter be denoted by corresponding reference marks and explanation of the same will be omitted. Though, as shown in FIG. 18, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is transparent and allows things behind it to be seen through it, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is shown as not transparent in FIG. 17 for avoiding complication of drawing.

As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, output terminals 1808 of image pickup device 18 are disposed at circumferential positions of front face 1803 of package 1802. Further, four input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 are disposed at circumferential positions of rear plane 1616 corresponding to four output terminals 1808.

Although positions of output terminals 1808 and input terminals 1612 in the second embodiment are shown as rotated 90° around the optical-axis of optical system 14 from positions of output terminals 1808 and input terminals 1612 in the first embodiment, they are not different from each other in functioning.

Assembling of rear unit 22 is attained by attaching liquid crystal light controlling device 16 to image pickup device 18 by adhesion of input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 to their corresponding output terminals 1808 of image pickup device 18 with a conductive adhesive.

As the abovementioned conductive adhesive, an anisotropic conductive adhesive can be used. The anisotropic conductive adhesive is such that has conductivity in the direction of distance between input terminals 1612 and output terminals 1808 and has no conductivity in the direction crossing the direction of distance at right angles.

In such construction, input terminals 1612 and output terminals 1808 are electrically connected by the conductive adhesive so that the driving voltage is supplied from output terminals 1808 to input terminals 1612 through the conductive adhesive.

According to the second embodiment, the need for securing space around package 1802 of image pickup device 18, especially at sides of package 1802, for the sake of connection of input terminals 1612 with output terminals 1808 can be eliminated, as with the first embodiment, and this provides an advantage in miniaturizing the apparatus.

Further, in the second embodiment, holding member 32, conducting portion 3208, and presser member 34 as used in the first embodiment can be eliminated. Therefore, the number of components for supplying the driving voltage can further be reduced and a great advantage can be obtained in simplifying the structure and reducing the cost.

As the conductive adhesive for connecting input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 with their corresponding output terminals 1808 of image pickup device 18 in the second embodiment, that using a binder hardening under ultraviolet irradiation, for example, may be used.

Further, as the conductive adhesive, an anisotropic conductive adhesive film (ACF) having the property similar to that of the abovementioned anisotropic conductive material can be used.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment will be described below.

The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has eliminated the use of holding member 32 and, instead, uses conductive member 38 for connecting the output terminals with input terminals.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view in perspective of the rear unit of the third embodiment and FIG. 20 is an assembly drawing of the rear unit.

As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, rear unit 22 includes image pickup device 18, liquid crystal light controlling device 16, presser member 34, and two conductive members 38.

Four output terminals 1808 of image pickup device 18 are disposed at circumferential positions of front face 1803 of package 1802. Further, input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 are disposed at circumferential positions corresponding to four output terminals 1808 of rear face 1616.

Conductive members 38 are formed in a band shape having a length substantially equal to the dimension of the short side of rear face 1616 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and adapted to be conductive in the direction of thickness crossing the direction of the length at right angles and not conductive in the direction of the length.

Presser member 34 has plate portion 3408, in addition to plate portion 3402 of the first embodiment, disposed at the rear of plate portion 3402 and formed in a rectangular shape parallel to plate portion 3402. Between these plate portion 3402 and plate portion 3408, there is sandwiched liquid crystal light controlling device 16 with its direction of thickness at right angles to the plate portions.

Further, there are cut long narrow openings 3410, elongated in the direction of the short side, in plate portion 3408 at positions toward the two short sides for holding conductive members 38.

Rear unit 22 is assembled as follows.

Liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is inserted between plate portion 3408 and plate portion 3402 of presser member 34 such that input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 face openings 3410.

Conductive members 38 are each held in each of openings 3410 and presser member 34 is placed over image pickup device 18 such that conductive members 38 is disposed between positions on front face 1803 of image pickup device 18 including output terminals 1808 and positions on rear face 1616 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 including input terminals 1612, whereby two engagement pieces 3406 are engaged with engagement portions 1810 of image pickup device 18.

Thus, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is retained by image pickup device 18, while conductive member 38 is interposed between positions on front face 1803 of image pickup device 18 including output terminals 1808 and positions on rear face 1616 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 including input terminals 1612 with the direction of its length oriented parallel to the direction of the short side of rear face 1616 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and with the direction of its thickness oriented perpendicular to rear face 1616 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and front face 1803 of image pickup device 18.

Thus, positions on the rear face of conductive member 38 are pressed against output terminals 1808 of package 1802 and portions on the front face of conductive member 38 are pressed against input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

By virtue of such a configuration, input terminals 1612 and output terminals 1808 can be electrically connected by conductive member 38 and the driving voltage can be supplied from output terminals 1808 to input terminals 1612 through conductive member 38.

According to the third embodiment, the need for securing space around package 1802 of image pickup device 18, especially at sides of package 1802, for the sake of connection of input terminals 1612 with output terminals 1808, can be eliminated, as with the first and second embodiments, and this provides an advantage in miniaturizing the apparatus.

Further, since, in the third embodiment, conductive member 38 is used while holding member 32 used in the first embodiment has been eliminated, a great advantage can be obtained in lowering the component count and reducing the cost.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment will be described below.

The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that holding member 32 and presser member 34 have been eliminated and that liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is attached to image pickup device 18 by means of conducting member 40.

FIG. 21 is an exploded view in perspective of the rear unit in the fourth embodiment, FIG. 22 is an assembly drawing of the rear unit, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view of conducting member 40.

As shown in FIG. 21, package 1802 of image pickup device 18 has frame portion 1814 in a rectangular frame shape surrounding sensor portion 1804, while frame portion 1814 has front face 1803 in a frame shape facing liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and having a larger contour than liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

Input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 are disposed at circumferential positions of front face 1614 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

Output terminals 1808 of image pickup device 18 are disposed at circumferential positions of front face 1803 of package 1802 corresponding to input terminals 1612, such that output terminals 1808 are positioned outside the contour of liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

As shown in FIG. 23, conducting member 40 is formed, for example, of a linearly extended flexible substrate. Conducting member 40 has intermediate portion 4002 which is extended linearly, two bent portions 4004 bent from both ends of intermediate portion 4002 in one of the directions of the thickness of intermediate portion 4002, and connection portions 4006 outwardly bent from the ends of bent portions 4004 in the extended directions of intermediate portion 4002, parallel to intermediate portion 4002.

The size of intermediate portion 4002 in its extended direction is made to be substantially equal to the size of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 in the direction of its short side, while the size of bent portion 4004 in its elongated direction is made to be substantially equal to the size of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 in the direction of its thickness.

On the rear face, i.e., on the face in one of the directions of thickness of intermediate portion 4002 and two connection portions 4006, there are formed two conductive films 4008, separated from each other at the middle portion of intermediate portion 4002, extending from positions on intermediate portion 4002 toward both ends, through bent portions 4004, to connection portions 4006.

Rear unit 22 is assembled as follows.

First, rear face 1616 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is aligned with front face 1803 of image pickup device 18 such that output terminals 1808 face the outer side of liquid crystal light controlling device 16.

Then, each of conducting members 40 is placed at a position toward the short side of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 and the rear face including conductive film 4008 on intermediate portion 4002 is attached to input terminals 1612 of liquid crystal light controlling device 16 with an anisotropic adhesive agent and, at the same time, the rear face including conductive film 4008 on each connection portion 4006 is attached to each of output terminals 1808 of image pickup device 18 with the anisotropic adhesive agent. Thereby, liquid crystal light controlling device 16 is fixed to image pickup device 18.

Incidentally, the abovementioned anisotropic adhesive is such that has conductivity in the direction of distance between conductive layer 4008 and input terminals 1612, and output terminals 1808, and has no conductivity in the direction perpendicular to the direction of distance.

By virtue of such a configuration, input terminals 1612 and output terminals 1808 are electrically connected by the adhesive and conducting member 40, and the driving voltage from output terminals 1808 is supplied to input terminals 1612 through the anisotropic adhesive and conducting member 40.

According to the fourth embodiment, the need for securing space around package 1802 of image pickup device 18, especially at sides of package 1802, for the sake of connection of input terminals 1612 with output terminals 1808, can be eliminated as with the first embodiment and this provides an advantage in miniaturizing the apparatus.

Further, since holding member 32 and presser member 34 as used in the first embodiment can be eliminated, the number of components for supplying the driving voltage can further be reduced and hence a great advantage can be obtained in simplifying the configuration and reducing the cost.

Although four input terminals 1612 and four output terminals 1808 are connected by two conducting members 40 in the fourth embodiment, such a method may also be used in which totally four conducting members 40 are used and a pair of input terminal 1612 and output terminal 1808 are connected by one each of conducting members 40.

Any material having conductivity may be used as conducting member 40. Known wiring material having conductivity, or a metallic plate such as a copper plate having conductivity, for example, may be used as conducting member 40.

Although an anisotropic conductive adhesive agent has been used as an adhesive agent having conductivity in the second embodiment and the fourth embodiment, it is also possible to use an isotropic conductive adhesive agent whose conductivity does not vary with direction, provided that, when such a conductive adhesive is used, the adhesive is applied so as not to cause a short circuit between a plurality of input terminals 1612 and between a plurality of output terminals 1808.

In each of the above described embodiments, cases where a liquid crystal light controlling device is used as the light controlling device have been mentioned. However, the light controlling device is not limited to that. For example, a device capable of changing the transmitted light quantity such as an organic EL (electronic luminescent) device may of course be used.

Although the input terminal of the light controlling device has been connected with the output terminal for supplying the driving voltage with a conductive adhesive agent, the input terminal and the output terminal may of course be connected together by soldering.

Further, though a digital still camera has been taken as an example of the image pickup apparatus in the above described embodiments, the present invention can of course be applied to various electronic apparatuses such as image pickup apparatuses for video cameras and television cameras, as well as mobile telephones having a lens barrel.

The foregoing invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments. However, those skilled, in the art will recognize that many variations of such embodiments exist. Such variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention and the appended claims. 

1. An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup device having a sensor portion for picking up an image of a subject and a package for holding the sensor portion; and a light controlling device disposed in front of the image pickup device, transmittance thereof of light led to the image pickup device being adjusted by a driving voltage applied thereto, wherein the light controlling device is provided with an input terminal to receive the driving voltage, and an output terminal for supplying the driving voltage to the input terminal is disposed at a position facing the light controlling device of the package of the image pickup device.
 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the package has a frame portion in a rectangular frame shape surrounding the sensor portion, the frame portion has a front face in a frame shape facing the light controlling device, and the output terminal is disposed on the front face.
 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the package has a frame portion in a rectangular frame shape surrounding the sensor portion, the frame portion has a front face in a frame shape facing the light controlling device, the input terminal is constituted of a plurality of input terminals disposed separately from each other, and the output terminal is constituted of a plurality of output terminals disposed at positions corresponding to the input terminals of the front face.
 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light controlling device is formed in a plate shape and has a rear face facing the image pickup device, the package has a front face facing the light controlling device, the input terminal is disposed at a circumferential position of the rear face of the liquid crystal light controlling device, the output terminal is disposed at a circumferential position of the front face of the package, the light controlling device is held at its circumference by a holding member and fixed to a front face of the image pickup device, the holding member includes a first portion made of a conductive material and placed in contact with the input terminal, a second portion made of a conductive material and placed in contact with the output terminal, and a third portion made of a conductive material and connecting the first portion with the second portion, the first portion to the third portion together forming a conducting portion for supplying the driving voltage from the output terminal to the input terminal.
 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an optical system for introducing an image of the subject into the image pickup device, wherein the positions on the front face of the package where the output terminals are disposed are portions corresponding to the input terminals, and the conducting portion is linearly extended in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the optical system.
 6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light controlling device is formed in a plate shape and has a rear face facing the image pickup device, the package has a front face facing the light controlling device, the input terminal is disposed on the rear face of the light controlling device, the output terminal is disposed at a position corresponding to the input terminal of the front face of the package, the light controlling device is fixed to the image pickup device by having the input terminal attached to the output terminal with a conductive adhesive agent, and the driving voltage is supplied from the output terminal to the input terminal through the adhesive agent.
 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light controlling device is formed in a plate shape and has a rear face facing the image pickup device, the package has a front face facing the light controlling device, the input terminal is disposed on the rear face of the light controlling device, the output terminal is disposed at a position corresponding to the input terminal of the front face of the package, the image pickup device and the light controlling device are fixed together with a conductive member interposed between a position on a front face of the image pickup device including the input terminal and a position on the rear face of the light controlling device including the output terminal, and the driving voltage is supplied from the output terminal to the input terminal through the conductive member.
 8. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the package has a frame portion in a rectangular frame shape surrounding the sensor portion, the frame portion faces the light controlling device and has a front face in a frame shape larger in contour than the light controlling device, the light controlling device is in a plate shape and has a front face facing the subject and a rear face facing the image pickup device, the input terminal is disposed on the front face of the light controlling device, the output terminal is disposed at a position corresponding to the input terminal of the front face of the package so as to be positioned on the outside of a contour of the light controlling device, the rear face of the light controlling device is registered with a front face of the image pickup device such that the output terminal faces the outside of the light controlling device, there is provided a conducting member attached to each of the input terminal and the output terminal, and the driving voltage is supplied from the output terminal to the input terminal through the conducting member. 